What you need to get an Arkansas driver's license
Arkansas issues driver's licenses through the Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services. To get your first license or renew an expired one, you'll need to visit a driver services office in person — there's no online option for the full process, though you can renew some licenses by mail if yours is not expired and you meet other conditions.
For a new license, bring proof of identity (a passport, birth certificate, or certified court document), proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of Arkansas residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you're under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your process. You'll also take a written knowledge test, a vision test, and a driving test unless you're renewing.
The written test covers traffic laws and road signs. You can study using the Arkansas Driver's Manual, available free on the Office of Driver Services website. The vision test checks that you can read a standard eye chart. The driving test happens in your own vehicle or one provided by the testing facility, and the examiner watches you perform basic maneuvers and follow traffic laws.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a driver services office in person to take your knowledge and driving tests, though some renewals can be done by mail if your license is not yet expired.
- Bring proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of Arkansas residency dated within the last 60 days.
- The knowledge test covers the Arkansas Driver's Manual, which is free online, and you can retake it if you fail.
- Arkansas driver's licenses are valid for four years for drivers under 65 and six years for drivers 65 and older.
- Fees vary by license type and age, and the Office of Driver Services website lists current costs and office locations.
Where to take your test and how long it takes
Arkansas has driver services offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Office of Driver Services website. Some offices are busier than others, so arriving early or calling ahead to ask about wait times can save you hours. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but a few offices do take them — the website will tell you which ones.
The entire process — paperwork, knowledge test, vision test, and driving test — typically takes one to three hours, depending on how busy the office is and how many times you need to retake the knowledge test. If you fail the knowledge test, you can retake it the same day at most offices, though you may have to wait and pay a retest fee. If you fail the driving test, you must schedule another appointment, usually at least a few days later.
Your temporary license is issued on the spot after you pass all tests. Your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you need to drive before the permanent license arrives, the temporary one is valid.
Renewing your Arkansas driver's license
If your license is not expired, you can renew by mail. You'll need to fill out the renewal form (available on the Office of Driver Services website), include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail everything to the address listed on the form. Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks from when the office receives your process.
If your license is already expired, you must renew in person at a driver services office. You'll take a new knowledge test and vision test, but you won't need to take the driving test again unless the office requires it based on your age or driving record. Bring the same documents you would for a new license: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency.
Arkansas licenses expire on your birthday. Drivers under 65 get four-year licenses, and drivers 65 and older get six-year licenses. You can renew up to six months before your license expires, which is a good time to do it by mail if you're may be able to access.
Changing your name or address on your license
If you've changed your name through marriage, divorce, or court order, you'll need to update your license. Bring your current license, proof of your legal name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of identity to a driver services office. There is usually a small fee for a replacement license with your new name.
If you've moved within Arkansas, you can update your address by mail. Fill out the address change form on the Office of Driver Services website, include a copy of your current license, and mail it in. You do not need to pay a fee for an address change. If you've moved to Arkansas from another state, you'll need to get a new Arkansas license by visiting an office in person and bringing the documents listed above.
Getting a Real ID-compliant license
Arkansas offers Real ID-compliant licenses, which you'll need to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025. A Real ID license looks like a standard license but has a gold star in the top right corner. The process is the same as getting a regular license — you visit an office, pass the tests, and bring the same documents — but you'll pay a slightly higher fee.
If you already have a standard Arkansas license and want to upgrade to Real ID, you can do so at a driver services office without retaking the knowledge and driving tests. Bring your current license, proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. The office will issue you a new Real ID license on the spot.
Special licenses and restrictions
Arkansas issues several types of licenses depending on your age and driving history. A regular license is for drivers 18 and older. A learner's permit is for drivers 14 and older who are learning to drive — you can drive only with a licensed adult in the car. A restricted license may be issued to drivers under 18 or to drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked.
If you have a medical condition that affects your driving, the Office of Driver Services may require you to pass additional tests or wear corrective lenses while driving. If you wear glasses or contacts, the vision test will determine whether you need a restriction on your license requiring you to wear them while driving.
What happens if you fail the driving test
If you don't pass the driving test, you'll receive a score sheet showing which maneuvers or traffic laws you didn't follow correctly. You can schedule another test appointment, usually within a few days. You'll pay the test fee again. There's no limit to how many times you can retake the test, so keep trying until you pass.
Common reasons people fail include not coming to a complete stop at stop signs, speeding, not signaling turns, and hitting cones during the parking portion. The examiner is looking for safe driving habits, not perfection. If you're nervous, ask the examiner to explain what you did wrong so you can practice that specific skill before your next test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Arkansas license online?
No. You can renew by mail if your license is not expired, but you cannot renew entirely online. If your license is expired, you must visit a driver services office in person to take a new knowledge and vision test.
What if I fail the knowledge test?
You can retake it the same day at most offices, though you may have to wait and pay a retest fee. Study the Arkansas Driver's Manual before your next attempt — it covers everything on the test and is free on the Office of Driver Services website.
Do I need to take the driving test again when I renew?
No, not for a standard renewal. If you renew by mail before your license expires, you won't take any tests. If your license is expired and you renew in person, you'll take a knowledge and vision test but not a driving test, unless the office requires it based on your age or record.
How much does an Arkansas driver's license cost?
Fees vary by license type and age. The Office of Driver Services website lists current fees. Generally, a four-year license for an adult costs less than a six-year license, and a Real ID license costs more than a standard license.
What if I move out of Arkansas?
You'll need to get a license from your new state. Most states require you to get a new license within 30 to 60 days of moving. Check your new state's driver licensing website for the specific documents and process.